(1863) Copper Civil War Store Card F-225BK-1a, Alonzo Rolfe MI

Coin Details

Description

Fuld 225BK-1a — store card of Alonzo Rolfe, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was Michigan's largest city and a major manufacturing center, producing stoves, railroad equipment, and industrial goods for the Northern war effort. Alonzo Rolfe issued 6 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. This copper striking (Fuld 225BK-1a) is common among the known varieties. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. Federal coinage vanished from circulation after 1861 as citizens hoarded silver and copper for their metal value, leaving merchants to fill the void with tokens. George and Melvin Fuld's catalog remains the standard reference for Civil War tokens, with each variety assigned a unique identification number.

Rarity Notes

Copper strikings are generally the most common metal variant for Civil War store cards, as copper was the standard planchet material mimicking the federal cent. With 6 cataloged varieties, Alonzo Rolfe was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 225BK-1a